Objectivist Club Examines Postmodernism, Religion

Posted: March 19, 2003 at 1:00 am, Last Updated: November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

The George Mason Objectivist Club presents a live talk, “Postmodernism vs. Religion vs. Objectivism: What Is the Proper Basis for Morality in the 21st Century?” tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in Johnson Center Room G. Ed Locke, dean’s professor of leadership and motivation at the University of Maryland, is the speaker.

Locke’s talk will argue that only objectivism, the philosophy of Ayn Rand, provides a code of morality suitable for living successfully and happily on earth. Objectivism holds that reality is real, that reason is man’s only means of knowing it, and that one should act in one’s own rational self-interest, with rationality being the highest virtue. Life is the objective standard of morality.

In contrast, postmodernism holds that objective knowledge is impossible and that morality is simply subjective opinion dictated by one’s culture; for postmodernists there is no objective basis for preferring, for example, freedom to dictatorship. Religion asserts that reality is governed by supernatural forces, that knowledge is based on faith, and that the highest moral act is one of self-sacrifice. Locke will argue that neither postmodernism nor religion can be practiced consistently, and that neither are compatible with living successfully and happily in the real world.

Locke has published more than 230 articles, chapters, and books on subjects such as leadership, work motivation, goal setting, job satisfaction, incentives, and the philosophy of science. He is the author of such books as The Prime Movers: Traits of the Great Wealth Creators and Goal Setting: A Motivational Technique That Works.

The event is open to the general public. It is free for those with a George Mason ID, and a $5 donation to the Objectivist Club is suggested for those without an ID. For more information, e-mail gmuoc@gmuoc.org or visit the club’s web site.